The Zakynthos water airport has become a “bone of contention,” with Hellenic Seaplanes and Greek Water Airports competing for the base on the Ionian island!

A fierce competition is expected between the two seaplane companies in Greece, driven by the desire to develop a network of water airports and flight services to high-demand destinations. The competition is expected to intensify regarding which company will undertake the licensing and management of the Zakynthos water airport, with Hellenic Seaplanes S.A. and Greek Water Airports IKE already awaiting the opening of the bids they submitted to the Zakynthos Port Fund.

Following the announcement of the tender by the Zakynthos Port Fund, decision No. Φ.35/620/5.5.22, under the initiative of the President of the Port Fund, Mr. Anastasios Plessas, both companies, which have been operating in the water airport sector for years, expressed their immediate interest in submitting their proposals, aiming to put Zakynthos on the map of Greece’s water airport network and bring seaplanes closer to the island.

It is worth noting that Zakynthos is the first destination in the Ionian Islands to officially express its interest in creating a water airport through a tender, following the passage of Law 4663 in 2020 regarding the establishment, operation, and exploitation of water airports. Similar developments are expected in Kefalonia, Ithaca, Lefkada, and Meganisi. These islands, although high-demand tourist destinations, have been stalled for over five years due to delays caused by the previous regional administration.

Hellenic Seaplanes’ Plan for Zakynthos

Hellenic Seaplanes S.A. aims to invest private capital and create water airports where the holder of the Establishment License will be the Port Fund, while the holder of the Operating License, who will also assume the costs of construction, equipment procurement, and operation, will be the private investor. With this process, the Port Fund or any other public body holding the Establishment License will be able, after the departure of the private investor, to reassign the operation of the water airport to another contractor via a tender.

Hellenic Seaplanes is decisively moving forward with its proposal for the licensing and management of the Zakynthos water airport, while simultaneously preparing its flight plan for seaplane travel to and from the island. Specifically, the company’s plan envisions connecting Zakynthos with the existing water airports in the Ionian Islands, Patras, and potentially with the newly licensed water airport in Kalamata.

In addition, the Hellenic Seaplanes proposal for the Zakynthos water airport includes, among other things, the construction of the project with private capital, positioning it as a central water airport in the water airport network the company is creating. It will serve as the company’s base in the Ionian, with the capacity to accommodate up to three (3) seaplanes and several supporting infrastructures.

Statements Regarding the Zakynthos Water Airport Tender

Regarding the challenge of the tender for the licensing and construction of the Zakynthos water airport, the President and CEO of Hellenic Seaplanes, Mr. Nicolas Charalambous, stated:
“The prospect of licensing and constructing a water airport in Zakynthos will bring increased operational capabilities to the island, new jobs, and new tourism products. For Hellenic Seaplanes, if we are the successful bidder, we will play a leading role in the network of water airports we are creating. This was emphasized during my previous visit to the island with the company’s representative in Zakynthos, Mr. Vythoulkas, and the relevant authorities. We will continue to build on what we have achieved so far, planning the sustainable expansion of the network with the support of the Greek Government. Very soon, the country will have the largest network of water airports in Europe and globally. We are awaiting the developments brought by the tender and hope that Zakynthos will be another destination included in the proud network of Hellenic Seaplanes.”

On his part, the Member of Parliament, Mr. Aktipis, mentioned in Parliament:
“We are pleased with the initiative of the Port Fund to start the tender process for the creation of our water airport, as we see ourselves getting closer to our goal: bringing seaplanes to Zakynthos. The water airport will serve the needs of both residents and tourists, transporting them quickly and safely to numerous destinations that we never thought possible. Our Zakynthos is a strong tourism brand and will connect with seaplanes the surrounding areas and the Ionian Islands. The seaplane air connection will strengthen the island’s competitive advantages as a destination, the local economy, and the quality of life for the residents.”

While waiting for developments concerning the Zakynthos water airport, it is worth mentioning that there has been significant progress regarding the water airports in Western Greece and Epirus. This progress makes the seaplane operations in these areas fully viable, as they will be directly and easily connected to the Ionian Islands water airports. Specifically, the water airport in Amfilochia recently received an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval for the construction and operation of a water airport within the tourist marina, while the water airport at Lake Pamvotida in Ioannina also received a similar environmental approval.

At the same time, Hellenic Seaplanes has completed the technical file and the environmental impact study for the Kyllini water airport, which has received positive feedback from the relevant authorities. The issuance of the establishment license is now expected, so it can be officially added to the country’s water airport network.